Newcastle United are among the clubs expected to make a bid for the Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford after he today handed in a transfer request.

The 26-year-old, who scored for the League One leaders in their 1-0 FA Cup third-round win against Manchester United on Sunday, has been linked with a move away from Elland Road for some time. His contract ends this summer and having scored 16 goals in 21 league starts this season, it was expected that clubs from higher divisions would come in for the player during the current transfer window.

Simon Grayson, the Leeds manager, expressed his desire to keep Beckford, who four years ago worked as an RAC windscreen fitter and played for non-league Wealdstone, following the victory at Old Trafford but is now almost powerless to keep the player. Should Leeds reject any move during the next month then Beckford will be able to leave for nothing at the end of the season.

A fee in the region of £2m could be enough to secure the services of the striker, with St James' Park his most likely destination. [READ MORE]